FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] It is important to have a pillow that is not only comfortable but also provides sleepers with a solid support for the intricate structure of the head, neck, shoulder, hips, and spine. Otherwise an uncomfortable pillow may lead to a loss of quality of sleep and even result in pain especially in the neck region.

[000S] The object of this invention is to provide a pillow to address the above shortcomings or at least to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In a first aspect the invention comprises a pillow with a head support base extending from which is a protrusion designed to cradle the neck of a user.

[0005] In preference the protrusion rests on the edge of the base and extends for a partial distance inwardly and sideways on the base.

[0006] In preference the protrusion top surface is of an arcuate shape.

[0007] In preference the front of the pillow is of an arcuate shape.

[0008] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic top front view of a first embodiment of a pillow;

[0011] Figure2 is a rear top view;

[0012] Figure 3 is a perspective side view;

[0013] Figure 4 is a perspective front view;

[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective bottom view;

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a person lying on the pillow;

[0016] Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a pillow according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0017] Figure 8 is a bottom perspective vie of the pillow according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0018] Figure 9 is a side view of the pillow according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0020] Referring to Figures 1 - 6 in relation to a first embodiment of the invention, there is shown a pillow 10 comprising a base 12 extending upwardly from which is a support 14. The front of the base 16 is of an arcuate shape that extends to the support 14. The rear of the support 18 may then extend horizontally with side walls 20 that typically do not extend the width of the base but may do so. The support is adapted cradle neck 22 and its size may vary in relation to the base. It is also not intended to limit the front of the base to an arcuate shape.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, the shape of the support may vary from a gentle to a more marked curve. In other embodiments the whole of the support may curve until it reaches the base 12.

[0022] The width of the support also does not extend across the whole width of the pillow but rather only a portion of it. This may be custom made for different users. The sides 20 of the support may be at right angles or of different shapes as they extend towards the base, such as curving downwardly. However, the support 14 may indeed extend across the whole width of the base.

[0023] The bottom of the base 24 is typically flat but it also may comprise of different configurations and shapes.

[0024] The upper surface of the head support base 12 is designed to support the back of head of the sleeper (Figure 6). Since the head support base typically does not extend across the whole width of the base, when a person is sleeping with their head turned their chin is supported by the base. This keeps the head level and the spine more aligned.

[0025] Whilst the support 14 has been shown to extend from the top surface of the base it may indeed extend from an indent in the base (not shown).

[0026] As illustrated in a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a semi- spherical support 26 for the head of a user. As in the first embodiment support 26 extends upwardly from base 28 and is located at the edge 30 of the base.

[0027] The pillow may be constructed from materials that are well known in the industry and it is not intended to limit the invention to those materials only.

[0028] To be clear it is to be understood that the above description refers to two preferred embodiments and it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific configuration of the two embodiments. Other features such as the following may indeed vary:

- the shape of the base and its side walls - the shape of the bottom of the base

- the shape of the upper surface of the base

- the shape of the support and its side walls

- the length of the support compared with the base

- the location of the support on the base

[0029] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides system and method of providing a pillow that supports the neck by a protrusion or support that extends from the base of the pillow. The pillow may be made of suitable material that provides firm support.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[00S0] The drawings include the following integers.

10 pillow

12 base

14 support

16 front of pillow

18 arc support surface

20 wall

22 neck

24 bottom of base

26 semi-spherical support

28 base

30 edge of base

[0031] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0032] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.